Look, as a Final Fantasy fan, it feels like Square Enix always puts a ton of pressure on every new game. And honestly, they never seem satisfied with how well the games actually do, no matter the numbers. It’s kinda frustrating to watch!
The company recently made major changes to focus on releasing content in many different formats. However, it’s unclear if this new strategy will be used for all of its games, like the Bravely Default series. (Honestly, it’s confusing why it wouldn’t.)
Naoki Yoshida, a well-known director behind successful games like Final Fantasy 14 and 16, thinks the brand is currently only attracting an older audience, which is a concern.
He recently stirred up controversy by suggesting that Square Enix’s infrequent game releases have stopped them from attracting younger fans.
Recent data from Circana confirms that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is particularly popular with older gamers. In the US, around 62% of players were over 35, and a significant 77% were over 30.
We know some people might disagree, but the data shows our fanbase is getting older, and we’re not attracting enough younger fans. We want to address this before anyone points it out!
It’s unclear how Square Enix can move beyond relying on remakes and sequels. Even Rebirth, despite being a fantastic game, is still part of a remake series based on a game from 1997. It’s hard to see what Square Enix hopes to achieve with this approach.
With anime becoming increasingly popular with young people, there’s a good chance Final Fantasy can attract younger players as well.
Although last year’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 didn’t sell as well as a typical Final Fantasy game, it showed that classic, turn-based RPGs still have a place in modern gaming.
We think Square Enix would benefit from a fresh start. They should simplify things by getting rid of complicated systems and unnecessary connections to their past.
Final Fantasy is in need of a game that dramatically reshapes the series, similar to how Resident Evil 7 revitalized its franchise and brought it into a more contemporary era.
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2026-03-24 16:36